The windows throughout your home open up to the outdoors, a way to allow light in when you enjoy the view of your garden, yard or other surroundings. The last thing you want to see is a sweaty window covered in a film of condensation.

Not only are windows covered in condensation unappealing, they also can be a symptom of a larger air-quality problem in your home. Thankfully, there’s multiple things you can try to address the problem.

What Causes Condensation in Windows

Condensation on the inner layer of windows is created by the humid warm air inside your home mixing with the colder surface of the windows. It’s particularly commonplace around the winter when it’s much cooler outside than it is within your home.

Inside Moisture vs. In Between Panes

When dealing with condensation, it’s necessary to understand the contrast between moisture on the inside of your windows compared to moisture in between the windowpanes. One is an air-quality issue and the other is a window issue.

  • Moisture on the inside of a window is caused from the warm humid air inside your home forming on the glass.
  • Any moisture you find between windowpanes is produced when the window seal fails and moisture seeps between the two panes of glass, in which case the window has to be repaired or replaced.
  • Condensation on the inside of the windows isn’t a window issue and can instead be fixed by adjusting the humidity inside your home. Numerous things cause humidity inside a home, including showers, cooking, laundry or even breathing.

Why Sweating Windows Could Mean an Issue

Although you might consider condensation inside your windows is a cosmetic concern, it can be a sign your home has high humidity. If this is in fact the case, water could also be condensing on window frames, cold walls or other surfaces. Even a slim film of water can encourage wood surfaces to mildew or rot over time, increasing the growth of mildew or mold.

How to Lower Humidity in Your Home

Not to worry, because there are numerous options for extracting moisture from the air inside your home.

If you have a humidifier active within your home – whether it be a smaller unit or a whole-house humidifier – lower it further so the humidity inside your home comes down.

If you don’t have a humidifier active and your home’s humidity level is higher than you prefer, think about installing a dehumidifier. While humidifiers adds moisture in your home so the air doesn’t get too dry, a dehumidifier draws excess moisture out of the air.

Compact, portable dehumidifiers can absorb the water from one room. However, portable units require clearing water trays and most often service a somewhat limited area. A whole-house dehumidifier will eliminate moisture across your entire home.

Whole-house dehumidifier systems are controlled by a humidistat, which allows you to set a humidity level the same like you would choose a temperature via your thermostat. The unit will begin running immediately when the humidity level exceeds the set level. These systems work with your home’s HVAC system, so you will want to contact qualified professionals for whole-house dehumidifier installation Brookfield.

Alternative Ways to Reduce Condensation on Windows

  • Exhaust fans. Installing exhaust fans near humidity hotspots such as the bathroom, laundry room or above the stove can help by drawing the warm, moist air from these spaces out of your home before it can raise the humidity level inside your home.
  • Ceiling fans. Spinning ceiling fans can also keep air flowing within the home so humid air doesn’t get trapped in one spot.
  • Opening your window treatments. Throwing open the blinds or drapes can decrease condensation by preventing the warm air from being trapped against the windowpane.

By reducing humidity across your home and circulating air throughout your home, you can enjoy clear, moisture-free windows even in the winter.